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The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat have pledged to deepen their collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the AfCFTA. This commitment was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Africa Business Forum 2025 (ABF 2025) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
ECA’s Executive Secretary, Claver Gatete, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing trade integration, industrialization, and private sector development across the continent. The MoU establishes a structured framework for both institutions to work together on critical areas, including:
1. Market Access and Trade Facilitation:
– Supporting the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade.
2. Industrial and Regional Value Chains:
– Promoting industrialization and fostering deeper economic linkages across African economies.
3. Training and Capacity Building:
– Strengthening institutional and technical capacities to implement AfCFTA policies effectively.
4. Customs and Transit Systems:
– Enhancing trade logistics and improving cross-border efficiency.
5. Private Sector Development:
– Encouraging greater business engagement in intra-African trade.
Gatete highlighted that the partnership will focus on joint research, policy development, and technical assistance to ensure the AfCFTA’s implementation is inclusive, effective, and beneficial for all African nations.
“The AfCFTA represents a transformative opportunity for Africa, but its success hinges on robust institutional partnerships,” Gatete stated. “This MoU underscores our commitment to collaborating with the AfCFTA Secretariat to drive trade integration, expand market access, and support Africa’s economic growth.”
Echoing Gatete’s sentiments, AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement. “This partnership will accelerate the operationalization of the AfCFTA by leveraging ECA’s expertise in trade policy, economic modeling, and capacity building,” Mene said.
He added, “Together, we can create a more enabling environment for African businesses and governments to fully harness the benefits of the AfCFTA. With the AfCFTA aiming to create a single African market of 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, this MoU marks a pivotal step in unlocking the full potential of intra-African trade.”
The collaboration will prioritize the development of trade facilitation programs, policy reforms, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure the seamless implementation of the AfCFTA. By working together, the ECA and AfCFTA Secretariat aim to foster a more integrated and prosperous African economy.
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